Butterflies have been a popular tattoo choice for both men and women for years.
Their colorful, symmetrical wings and representation of transformation and rebirth make them an appealing image to permanently adorn one’s body.
Butterfly tattoos come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and styles.
They can be designed to be delicate and feminine or bold and graphic.
The placement of a butterfly tattoo is also very versatile – they can fit nicely on wrists, ankles, shoulders, lower backs and many other parts of the body.
If you’re considering a new butterfly tattoo but need inspiration on style, color or placement, check out these 23 beautiful butterfly tattoo ideas to inspire your next ink.
Delicate Black and Grey Butterfly Tattoo On Wrist
One of the most classic and feminine spots for a butterfly tattoo is on the wrist.
This delicate tattoo uses black and grey ink with intricate patterns on the wings for a subtle look that can be easily hidden under a watch or bracelet.
Since the wrist is a visible part of the body and a relatively sensitive area to get tattooed, a small and dainty butterfly is a perfect choice.
This type of tattoo looks beautiful on its own or could potentially be part of a larger collection on the arm or hand.
Vibrant Watercolor Butterfly Tattoo On Shoulder
The vibrant rainbow colors and fluid shapes of a watercolor tattoo make it an excellent option for a butterfly.
Since butterflies come in so many bright, bold colors in nature, they translate beautifully into watercolor ink.
The shoulder is a great spot for this visually striking tattoo, where the colors and design can really pop.
Watercolor butterfly tattoos have an artistic, painted look and the colors tend to blend together softly and smoothly.
They are eye catching and colorful without being overly demanding of attention.
Realistic Blue Butterfly Tattoo On Ankle
For a butterfly tattoo with realistic detail, consider a blue or monarch butterfly on your ankle.
The shape and colors of blue butterfly wings are naturally striking and contain intricate patterns that can be highlighted in tattoo form.
Since butterfly wings have transparent elements, choosing a talented artist who specializes in realistic detail is key.
When sized appropriately, an ankle tattoo can look dainty while allowing the detail of the wings to shine through.
If you choose a blue butterfly that mirrors the natural color and markings, your tattoo will really seem like the insect is perching gracefully on your ankle.
Simple Black Butterfly Tattoo On Back of Neck
For a more minimalist butterfly tattoo, consider a simple black ink design on the back of your neck.
This allows you to get the essence of the butterfly without a colorful or highly detailed image.
A single butterfly outline or silhouette can be small while still being visible.
The back of the neck is a popular spot for minimalist tattoos, as they peek nicely above shirt collars or when your hair is pulled up.
You may also choose to add other delicate designs, typography or floral elements if you want to expand your tattoo but keep it elegant and understated.
Colorful Butterfly Tattoo Cascading Down Shoulder
If you want your butterfly tattoo to have more of a flow or movement, consider placing it on your upper back or shoulder where the wings can cascade down your arm or back.
This type of placement suits colorful, larger butterflies that can start small near the top of your shoulder and get progressively bigger.
The flowing, moving placement adds drama and life.
Mixing a few different colored butterflies on your shoulder or upper back makes for a more vibrant overall look while still allowing the individual beauty of each insect to stand out.
Geometric Butterfly Tattoo On Forearm
For a bolder, more graphic take on a butterfly tattoo, try using geometric shapes, patterns and lines to form the wings and body.
The angular designs make the wings appear pointed and the symmetry more striking.
Placing a geometric butterfly on your forearm makes for a very visible, statement placement that you can show off or cover up with a long-sleeve shirt.
You can make the tattoo as colorful or basic as you want – some geometric butterfly designs incorporate vivid colors while others just use black ink.
This type of butterfly tattoo works well by itself or with other geometric tattoos.
Lotus Flower and Butterfly Tattoo On Thigh
Combining a butterfly tattoo with a lotus flower results in a design that’s both visually appealing and full of symbolism.
Since both butterflies and lotuses represent transformation, growth and new beginnings, they make perfect companion images in a tattoo.
A colorful, larger butterfly hovering near an open pink lotus flower is ideal for a thigh tattoo, allowing plenty of detail and a flattering placement.
The lotus can be designed in a more realistic style with shading while the butterfly wings incorporate vivid colors and patterns.
This type of tattoo is packed with meaning while still looking delicate and feminine.
Simple Line Art Butterfly Tattoo On Foot
The top of the foot is the perfect place for a clean-lined, simple butterfly tattoo.
A thin black line drawing has an understated look that won’t draw too much attention but remains visible.
Since the top of the foot is an area prone to faster fading and more irritation during healing, a basic line art tattoo holds up better over time.
Keeping it small and using just black ink minimizes any potential discomfort or maintenance needed.
This type of minimal butterfly tattoo would look great on its own or with other tiny tattoos on your foot or ankle.
Purple and Pink Butterfly Tattoo On Hip
For a brightly colored butterfly tattoo that you want to keep hidden some of the time, consider placing it on your hip where it can peek out from your pants or swimsuits.
The hips are a sensual area that suits a vivid, feminine butterfly image.
Choosing colors like purple and pink and using curving lines helps enhance the allure.
A hip butterfly can be either simple or ornate – you can make it a quick, bold tattoo or expand it into an intricate, larger piece with shading and patterns.
Since you can conceal it when needed, you have lots of freedom when it comes to the butterfly’s size and colors.
Butterfly Hand Tattoo
Make a bold statement with a butterfly hand tattoo, which provides constant visibility when you need it along with easy cover up ability.
Placing a butterfly along the side of your hand or finger allows you to showcase the bright colors and designs or keep it more subtle and hidden, depending on your mood or occasion.
Hand tattoos fade faster than other areas, so keep the outline simple and the colors bold.
While hand tattoos tend to hurt more, the relatively small size of a butterfly helps minimize discomfort.
A butterfly hand tattoo is perfect for someone who wants a visible, unmistakable image that they can control.
Micro Butterfly Tattoo Behind Ear
For an extremely delicate, discreet butterfly tattoo, consider placing a small minimalist design behind your ear.
This area suits a micro tattoo you want to keep private and hidden.
Make sure to scale down the design so it looks dainty and proportional.
A simple black butterfly silhouette or outline is all you need to convey the essence of the insect artfully.
While ear tattoos are notoriously painful, the tiny size of a micro butterfly helps. As long as you go to a skilled tattoo artist, you’ll end up with a crisp, discrete tattoo.
This allows you to get inked in a sensitive spot with less commitment or impact.
Butterfly Fairy Tattoo On Back
For a magic-inspired butterfly tattoo, why not incorporate a fairy into the design?
The wings of a colorful butterfly perfectly complement a fairy’s wings, making them ideal images to combine in a tattoo.
Placement on the upper or lower back suits the grand scale that works well for this kind of tattoo.
Make sure to find an artist skilled in portrait-style tattoos so the fairy’s facial features and other details look lifelike.
You can make this tattoo as girly or edgy as you want through the fairy’s style, accessories and other design choices.
A butterfly fairy tattoo makes a whimsical, eye catching statement.
Watercolor Butterfly Tattoo On Collarbone
Like the shoulder, a collarbone tattoo can really highlight the vivid, blended colors of a watercolor butterfly thanks to the smooth skin and visible placement.
Have the wings spread wider to take advantage of the area and to allow the colors to fluidly run together.
Make sure to work with an artist experienced in watercolor style tattoos so they can capture the flowing, painted look that makes this technique so captivating.
Since the collarbone area features lots of nerve endings, preparing with numbing cream helps with any potential discomfort. But once healed, your watercolor collarbone butterfly will look incredible.
Butterfly Tattoo On Wrist with Kids’ Names
Adding your children’s names to a butterfly tattoo allows you to commemorate your family in a meaningful, beautiful way.
Placing this tattoo on your wrist keeps the kids’ names close.
Make sure to use small, clean lettering – consider getting the names written out in your chosen artist’s style before finalizing the design to ensure it’s legible.
Accompanying the names with two butterflies (one for each child) or a trail of small butterflies looks adorable.
You may want to wait until your family is complete so the tattoo accurately represents all your kids. But it’s a thoughtful, heartfelt way to celebrate your children.
Simple Butterfly Ankle Bracelet Tattoo
For a quick, trendy tattoo option, you can get a simple bracelet style butterfly tattoo around your ankle.
This looks great with just black ink or with a pop of color on the butterfly.
The bracelet style tattoo circles fully around the ankle, uninterrupted, as if you’re permanently wearing an anklet.
You can add charms, like a single butterfly, to make it more visually interesting.
This type of tattoo works well small and uncomplicated – just ask the artist to draw it on before getting started to make sure the proportions will fully encircle your ankle.
It’s a fun way to test drive a butterfly tattoo before going bigger.
Realistic Butterfly Tattoo Sleeve
For a truly eye catching butterfly tattoo that shows off your dedication and personality, consider a full butterfly sleeve with realistic details.
This allows for many different colorful butterflies scattered across your arm in lifelike designs.
Make sure to find an artist skilled in realistic tattoos who can capture the transparent, shiny elements of the wings and antennae.
A full sleeve provides plenty of space for large butterflies as well as smaller accents and background shading.
While it requires a serious time commitment, a realistic butterfly sleeve makes a bold, beautiful statement.
Butterfly Tattoo With Names in Banner on Foot
Commemorate special people in your life by having their names inked in a sweet banner wrapped around your foot or ankle, anchored on both sides by a bright butterfly.
This allows you to have meaningful words permanently on your body while keeping the overall look feminine with the colorful butterflies.
Choose a script or font style for the names that loops and flows nicely around your ankle.
Consider adding birth/death dates or small floral designs if you want to expand the tattoo. Just keep the design simple enough to allow easy reading of the names.
It’s a touching way to celebrate your loved ones.
Tiny Butterfly Tattoos Behind Ears
For a perfectly coordinated, symmetrical look, consider getting a simple, tiny butterfly tattoo behind each ear.
The matching designs look adorable, while the discreet size and hidden placement allow you to cover them easily.
Stick with black ink and basic butterfly outlines or silhouettes to keep them matching and subtle.
Make sure the artist proportions the size appropriately and identically on each ear.
The tattoos can be a centimeter or two big at most – large enough to clearly make out the butterflies but still tiny and delicate.
It’s a cute “his and her” tattoo option for couples or friends.
Large Biomechanical Butterfly Tattoo On Thigh
If you want a butterfly tattoo with an edge, check out the biomechanical style where the insect gets augmented with cogs, gears, plates and industrial elements.
This badass tattoo style turns the butterfly into a robot-hybrid, perfect for someone who wants a cooler, darker vibe.
Place a large biomechanical butterfly on your thigh for an area that can accommodate lots of detailing.
Let the artist embellish the wings with all kinds of metal machine parts seamlessly fused with the butterfly’s delicate features.
A biomechanical butterfly tattoo makes an imposing, unique statement.
Colorful Butterfly Tattoo On Calf
A beautifully vibrant butterfly tattoo is perfect for the smooth canvas of your calf, where you have plenty of space to show off the wings and colors.
Since the calf allows for larger tattoos, you can get an ornate, elaborate butterfly inked in exquisite detail.
Incorporate different shapes, patterns and shadings within the sections of the wings to make them pop.
Vivid yellows, oranges, greens, violets and other inks look mesmerizing when expertly blended and shaded.
As a bonus, a calf tattoo is easy to show off or cover with socks and pants as needed. It’s a great spot for your most dazzling butterfly tattoo.
Butterfly Tattoo On Back Of Neck With Roman Numerals
While butterflies represent transformation and renewal, roman numerals convey history and importance.
Combining them into a tattoo allows you to signify an impactful date with a personalized, symbolic touch.
The back of the neck is a prime place for this tattoo because the butterfly can perch gracefully right above the lettering.
Keep it simple and consistent by using plain block numerals and a basic black butterfly silhouette without excessive detail. Make sure the numerals are large and clear enough to read.
This is a beautiful, meaningful tattoo option whatever date you choose to commemorate.
Purple Butterfly Tattoo Outline On Shoulder
Sometimes a plain black outline speaks louder than an ultra detailed, vivid butterfly tattoo.
Placing a simple outlined butterfly on your shoulder makes a statement through its minimalist elegance.
The negative space inside the outline draws the eye, while allowing your imagination to fill in the colors.
Stick to plain, clean lines without any shading or patterns for maximum impact.
This lets the butterfly shape stand out on its own merit.
It’s an unfussy, artful way to get inked that can nicely complement existing tattoos or fit in among a collection.
Simple Butterfly Tattoo On Finger
For a delicate butterfly tattoo that’s both sweet and symbolic, consider placing it on your finger alongside a wedding ring or engagement ring.
Its placement represents commitment while still allowing your jewelry to shine.
A small, simple black or white ink butterfly looks best so it doesn’t visually compete with your rings.
Make sure the tattoo’s lines are crisp and solid to stand out.
While finger tattoos fade faster, you can get this one touched up as needed. It adds a cute, personal accent that complements your most important bling.
Large Stomach Butterfly Tattoo
For a sprawling, dramatic butterfly tattoo, use the ample space of your stomach as a canvas.
This allows the wings to stretch and expand across your midsection, commanding attention.
While stomach tattoos are notoriously painful, the beauty of a large, detailed butterfly is worth the discomfort for dedicated ink lovers.
Since clothing normally covers the stomach, you can control visibility.
When you do reveal it, a bold stomach butterfly makes an eye catching statement and focal point.
This placement works best for large, ornate butterflies that need lots of room to stun and amaze.
Butterfly tattoos come in an incredible range of colors, sizes and styles to match anyone’s tastes.
Butterflies look beautiful on their own or mixed with other floral and nature inspired elements. They suit both men and women and range from subtle to striking.
